Critical Care HESI Practice Exam Questions with Correct Detailed Answers 2025
A client recovering from a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) after an acute myocardial infarction
is being transferred from the PACU to the Cardiac ICU. Which assessment finding should the PACU nurse
inform the healthcare provider of immediately?
a. onset of chest pain
b. need to apply pressure dressing
c. presence of occasional PVCs
d. absence of any urinary output during PACU stay - (answer)a. onset of chest pain
This suggests the onset of another MI and reocclusion of a vessel.
What is the preferred treatment of an acute MI within 12 hours of symptom onset? - (answer)PCI;
places a stent in the affected coronary artery
How often must a PCI pressure dressing site be assessed? - (answer)q30min for 4 hours
qh thereafter
Central Venous Pressure (CVP) - (answer)the pressure of blood in the thoracic vena cava, near the right
atrium of the heart; reflects the amount of blood returning to the heart and the ability of the heart to
pump the blood into the arterial system; normal is 2-6 mmHg
Sensitivity of a pacemaker - (answer)pacing devices ability to detect what electrical activity is being
generated by the patient's heart to prevent any competition between the hearts intrinsic activity
Contrast Induced Nephropathy (CIN) - (answer)A sudden deterioration in renal function that is caused by
intravascular administration of iodinated contrast medium; typically seen with angiplasty/angiography
Signs of tension pneumothorax - (answer)1. affected side will have decreased or absent lung sounds
2. cyanosis
3. Tracheal deviation (late sign)
4. distended neck veins
, Critical Care HESI Practice Exam Questions with Correct Detailed Answers 2025
5. tachycardia, tachypnea
Pneumatic Antishock Garment - (answer)An inflatable device that covers the legs and abdomen; used to
splint the lower extremities or pelvis, or to control bleeding in the lower extremities or pelvis.
- used for intraperitoneal hemorrhage
What is the expected ABG of a pulmonary embolism? - (answer)Tachypnea and tachycardia-->
respiratory alkalosis
A client is brought to the emergency department following a motor vehicle accident. Initial assessment
reveals that the client is unconscious with a blood pressure of 165/73 mmHg, HR 50 bpm, RR 8 and
irregular, temperature of 103 F. What do you suspect is happening? - (answer)The findings reveal
Cushing's Triad (hypertension with widening pulse pressure, bradycardia and bradypnea); this indicates
increased ICP
Symptoms of Right Ventricular Hypertrophy - (answer)fatigue, swelling, weakness, chest pain, SOB,
dizziness
The nurse is caring for a client who is being weaned from mechanical ventilation. Which assessment
finding indicates that the client is ready to the the endotracheal tube removed? - (answer)- pulse ox:
98% with a T piece
- evidence of reversal of the underlying cause of respiratory failure
-PEEP <8 and FiO2 <0.50
- hemodynamic stability
- ability to initiate an inspiratory effort.
A client with ARDS was endotracheally intubated and transferred to the ICU 12 hours ago. Upon
assessment, the nurse notes bilateral rales and diminished breath sounds in the right middle lobe and
bilateral lower lobes, as well as bluish nail beds. Based on the client's presentation, which actions should
be taken? - (answer)- Place the patient in prone position
- administer prescribed Lasix
A client recovering from a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) after an acute myocardial infarction
is being transferred from the PACU to the Cardiac ICU. Which assessment finding should the PACU nurse
inform the healthcare provider of immediately?
a. onset of chest pain
b. need to apply pressure dressing
c. presence of occasional PVCs
d. absence of any urinary output during PACU stay - (answer)a. onset of chest pain
This suggests the onset of another MI and reocclusion of a vessel.
What is the preferred treatment of an acute MI within 12 hours of symptom onset? - (answer)PCI;
places a stent in the affected coronary artery
How often must a PCI pressure dressing site be assessed? - (answer)q30min for 4 hours
qh thereafter
Central Venous Pressure (CVP) - (answer)the pressure of blood in the thoracic vena cava, near the right
atrium of the heart; reflects the amount of blood returning to the heart and the ability of the heart to
pump the blood into the arterial system; normal is 2-6 mmHg
Sensitivity of a pacemaker - (answer)pacing devices ability to detect what electrical activity is being
generated by the patient's heart to prevent any competition between the hearts intrinsic activity
Contrast Induced Nephropathy (CIN) - (answer)A sudden deterioration in renal function that is caused by
intravascular administration of iodinated contrast medium; typically seen with angiplasty/angiography
Signs of tension pneumothorax - (answer)1. affected side will have decreased or absent lung sounds
2. cyanosis
3. Tracheal deviation (late sign)
4. distended neck veins
, Critical Care HESI Practice Exam Questions with Correct Detailed Answers 2025
5. tachycardia, tachypnea
Pneumatic Antishock Garment - (answer)An inflatable device that covers the legs and abdomen; used to
splint the lower extremities or pelvis, or to control bleeding in the lower extremities or pelvis.
- used for intraperitoneal hemorrhage
What is the expected ABG of a pulmonary embolism? - (answer)Tachypnea and tachycardia-->
respiratory alkalosis
A client is brought to the emergency department following a motor vehicle accident. Initial assessment
reveals that the client is unconscious with a blood pressure of 165/73 mmHg, HR 50 bpm, RR 8 and
irregular, temperature of 103 F. What do you suspect is happening? - (answer)The findings reveal
Cushing's Triad (hypertension with widening pulse pressure, bradycardia and bradypnea); this indicates
increased ICP
Symptoms of Right Ventricular Hypertrophy - (answer)fatigue, swelling, weakness, chest pain, SOB,
dizziness
The nurse is caring for a client who is being weaned from mechanical ventilation. Which assessment
finding indicates that the client is ready to the the endotracheal tube removed? - (answer)- pulse ox:
98% with a T piece
- evidence of reversal of the underlying cause of respiratory failure
-PEEP <8 and FiO2 <0.50
- hemodynamic stability
- ability to initiate an inspiratory effort.
A client with ARDS was endotracheally intubated and transferred to the ICU 12 hours ago. Upon
assessment, the nurse notes bilateral rales and diminished breath sounds in the right middle lobe and
bilateral lower lobes, as well as bluish nail beds. Based on the client's presentation, which actions should
be taken? - (answer)- Place the patient in prone position
- administer prescribed Lasix
